Feature Stories

The smell of fire permeates Jon Sutherland’s childhood memories—his uncle and grandfather, both firefighters, often came home smelling of burnt pine. “I still remember seeing them come home after a

Fighting wildland fire, running whitewater rapids, using heavy machinery, interacting with wildlife, and parachuting into rugged terrain. Depending on the career, these are just some of the exciting

KENTUCKY - Elk have been a staple at Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area for nearly three decades. Many of the area’s 1.8 million visitors per year come to see the herd at the

Moose are an iconic Minnesota animal. Their significance dates to some of the first settlers who arrived several hundred years ago. For the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Grand Portage

Most folks know Smokey Bear is all about stopping unwanted wildland fire. His message of “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” is everywhere, from signage as you enter national forests and grasslands, to

Native trees connect us to our forests. This is especially true of the ‘ōhi‘a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) — a native tree in Hawai‘i that grows naturally nowhere else on Earth. As one of the first

A career day at Chaparral High School in Temecula, California. That’s what changed Cole Weissgerber’s life. Before then, he wasn’t really sure what he wanted to do with his life (who really does know

It appears that your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio. Please use the following download directly link instead. Transcript | Download directly (18 MB) The gray wolf (Canis lupus) became extirpated

Complete darkness, like the middle of the night—except it’s the middle of the day, and just moments before, the sun shone brightly. Total solar eclipses, like the one that will occur on April 8, are

Large, destructive wildfires are often the big story. Firefighters and firefighting aircraft come from across the country. The images, the action, the fast-moving flames threatening Small Town USA

Prescribed fire, sometimes referred to as controlled burning, is deeply rooted in the South. Historically and culturally, fire has been used to maintain healthy wildlife habitat for hunting, improve

In the heart of the nation's forests and grasslands, a unique opportunity awaits those eager to make a difference. Whether you're drawn to the call of nature or seeking to further advance conservation

If you asked any American on the street, “Where does your drinking water come from?” they might mention the name of a water utility company or a local reservoir-- even a source as vague as rainfall

How much is a tree worth? How much air pollution and carbon can it process? How much energy can it save through its shade and evapotranspiration? These are key questions that everyone can answer

Sometimes out of adversity comes wisdom. That was a lesson Pacific Southwest Research Station Ecologist Eric Knapp learned after the 2021 Antelope Fire burned through long-term research plots in